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First Record of Bothriocephalus acheilognathi in the Rio Grande with Comparative Analysis of ITS2 and V4‐18S rRNA Gene Sequences
Author(s) -
Bean Megan G.,
Škeříková Andrea,
Bonner Timothy H.,
Scholz Tomáš,
Huffman David G.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
journal of aquatic animal health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.507
H-Index - 52
eISSN - 1548-8667
pISSN - 0899-7659
DOI - 10.1577/h06-035.1
Subject(s) - biology , 18s ribosomal rna , gene , zoology , ribosomal rna , evolutionary biology , genetics , ecology
Bothriocephalus acheilognathi is an introduced tapeworm in North America often reported as a serious ecological threat to native fishes. In this paper, we report the first record of B. acheilognathi in the Big Bend region of the Rio Grande in Texas (known as the Río Bravo del Norte in Mexico). Identification of B. acheilognathi was confirmed by morphologic and genetic techniques (sequences of ITS2 and V4‐18S rRNA genes). Its prevalence was 27% and its intensity ranged from 1 to 5 individuals in a January 2006 collection of 115 red shiners Cyprinella lutrensis . In addition, it was found in the Tamaulipas shiner Notropis braytoni , a Rio Grande endemic and a new host record. The occurrence of B. acheilognathi might have negative ecological impacts on endemic fishes in the Rio Grande. Several of the fishes that could serve as definitive hosts are of conservation concern. Its occurrence also might affect the success of reintroducing the Rio Grande silvery minnow Hybognathus amarus , which is federally listed as endangered, in this portion of the Rio Grande.